Yes Means Yes!

This is a bit unusual for the blog, but I thought it was really neat. It's a call for submissions for a sex-positive, anti-rape anthology. Anyone interested?


CALL FOR SUMBISSIONS: Yes Means Yes!

Co-editors Jaclyn Friedman and Jessica Valenti are seeking submissions for
their anthology on rape culture, Yes Means Yes!, to be published by Seal
Press in Fall 2008.

Imagine a world where women enjoy sex on their own terms and aren't shamed
for it. Imagine a world where men treat their sexual partners as
collaborators, not conquests. Imagine a world where rape is rare and swiftly

punished.

Welcome to the world of Yes Means Yes.

Yes Means Yes! will fly in the face of the conventional feminist wisdom that
rape has nothing to do with sex. We are looking to collect sharp and
insightful essays, from voices both established and new, that demonstrate
how empowering female sexual pleasure is the key to dismantling rape
culture.

Potential essay subjects could include;

* Revamping how public sex education is taught, and to whom.

* The new backlash against rape survivors ( i.e., media obsession with
drinking, Girls Gone Wild culture being to blame for assault)

* Bringing men back into the conversation, making men leaders in the
movement to end rape culture

* Thoughts on "enthusiastic consent"

* Taking Back the Porn: How changing the pornography industry can stop
rape

* The power of language (naming rape for what it is, or the new myth of
" gray rape " )

* A primer for men on sexual assault

* How good sex (where women ' s pleasure is central) can mean an end to
rape culture

* Rethinking sexual interaction as a private joint performance, as
opposed to as an exchange of a commodity or service

* On pulling out the invisible lynchpin of rape culture: homophobia

* Creating accurate media representations of rape

Women and men, published and unpublished authors, are all encouraged to
submit essays. Be creative, be forward-thinking, be funny! Perhaps most
importantly, we are seeking essays with a pro-active bent that offer new and
insightful thoughts and actions on how to dismantle rape culture. No more
No Means No, let's think " Yes Means Yes! "

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Please submit your essays to
yesmeansyes2008@gmail.com no later than March
1, 2008.

Essays should be from 2000 to 5000 words, double spaced and paginated.
Please include your address, phone number, email address and a short bio.

We regret to say that because of the expected volume of responses, we will
only be responding to those whose essays are planned for inclusion in the
book. Thanks for understanding!